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A Message from the District Attorney...
Dear Friends and Neighbors:
As we approach the holiday season, we are reminded of what a joyous time of year it can be. Hopefully, we can all have an opportunity to spend more precious time with our friends and families as we celebrate the holidays.
Sadly, the holiday season also brings another kind of opportunity: opportunity for criminals who are willing and eager to prey on our more vulnerable community members. This time of year we normally see an uptick in scams targeting shoppers and taking advantage of the giving season. Our office is committed to combating these crimes and to educating the public on how to protect themselves from these scams.
Here are just a few examples of holiday-related scams and what to look out for.
· Gift card scams. This is when criminals steal gift cards in bulk from the racks, collect the information from the card and return it to the in-store rack for unsuspecting buyers. It’s safest to buy cards that are kept behind the counter, or directly from the retailer’s site.
· Card declined scams. You pay for a purchase online and receive a message stating that your card has been declined. Entering another card into the system means that you’ll be charged on both cards.
· Charity scams. Sham charities exploit Americans’ goodwill during the giving season using fake websites and other tactics.
· Online shopping scams. Criminals use fake posts and social media campaigns to impersonate major brands or tout products they never intend to ship.
We should always be wary of anyone who asks for money or personal information. Before handing it over, take a breath and talk to a friend or a trusted adviser. AARP offers a fraud watch network hotline where you can get guidance from trained fraud specialists (877-908-3360). Here are some other tips to avoid being scammed.
· Go to websites you’ve verified. Rather than click on a link from an email or text for a hot deal, go to your web browser and type in the address of the company purportedly offering said great deal.
· Pay by credit card. This way you can dispute charges and limit the damage if the transaction was fraudulent.
· Buy gift cards from behind the counter where they are more protected from fraud. Also, be sure to purchase e-gift cards from the retailer's site, not from a third-party seller.
· Research requests for donations. Charity Watch, Charity Navigator and GuideStar provide a bevy of resources on charitable organizations, including ratings, reviews and financial information.
Package theft is another crime we see more frequently this time of year. Here are a few tips provided by our friends in law enforcement to help combat the so-called “porch pirates.”
· Have packages delivered to where you are, not to where you aren’t. Consider having packages delivered to your place of employment instead of your home.
· Use tracking numbers and delivery notifications. Most major shipping companies offer this free service and can send you a text or email when your package arrives.
· Ask family members, trusted neighbors and friends to accept deliveries on your behalf or to pick up your packages.
· Request packages to be placed in a less conspicuous spot, such as a side door or behind a planter or garbage can.
· Keep an eye out for suspicious vehicles and people in your neighborhood and report suspicious activity to your local police department.
Hopefully these tips and information will lend to a safer and happier holiday season!
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